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Preparing Your Home for Market

To be selected from the competing properties on the market and to get the best offer on your home, it is important that your home be in the best condition possible. First impressions are critical and non-retrievable. People buy on emotions and emotions are triggered by our senses. Not only does your home need to be in good repair and updated, it also needs to smell fresh and clean. Take a critical walk starting at the front curb, all through your home, and out the back door. Write everything down that needs to be repaired, cleaned, or updated. This is the first step, when you have written all the things down then you begin addressing the items on your list.

Pay Close attention to the following:

Trim landscaping, mulch flower beds, and keep the lawn mowed.

Power wash drives, sidewalks, and exterior of home where needed.

Clean/paint front door and make sure door bell is operational.

Eliminate all odors and unpleasant odors in the home. Be particularly aware of pet, smoking, and food odors.

Paint if needed. You will get a return on painting.

Install new flooring if it is worn, stained, or outdated.

Pack-up and store as much as possible. You may need to rent a storage unit. Clean out all closets so that they look bigger. Remove as much from surface areas as possible. If it is smaller than a fist, remove it. The rule is less is better. Remove personal items such as family photos.

Work with your agent or a professional stagger to maximize the positive features of your home.

Bathrooms and kitchens must be pristine. You do not want to stay in a hotel if the bathrooms are not sparkling clean and potential buyers do not want to buy homes with dirty baths and kitchens.

Open up the window coverings and let as much light in as possible. You need to keep the temperature regulated so potential buyers are comfortable and will want to linger in your home.